SL to lobby against ‘high risk’ classification

25 June 2013 01:09 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The Government will lobby against Sri Lankans being categorized as ‘high risk’, at a high level discussion which is set to take place soon between the Ministry of External affairs and the British High Commissioner John Rankin.

The British High Commission said recently it would charge a bond of 3000 pounds sterling from selected applicants applying from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria and Ghana.

“We will not require all visitors from the selected countries to pay a bond. The number of bonds issued during the pilot project will be limited. The pilot project will be highly selective and focused on the highest risk applicants” the High Commission said in a statement.

Sri Lanka is also set to lobby for its removal from the list of countries whose citizens may fall into a “high risk” category.

At discussions the secretary to the Ministry Karunatilaka Amunugama and British High Commissioner John Rankin on Monday, the ministry had sought an explanation regarding the bond.

“Mr. Rankin explained that this was only a pilot project and the bond will have to be signed only by those who were earlier rejected or fell below the normal category of entrants to Britain. We are told that this will only be charged from high risk applicants with a risk of not returning back,” Mr. Amunugama said.

The Ministry said during the meeting, factors such as removing Sri Lanka from the list while ensuring the minimising of people from over staying or illegally seeking residence in Britain would be discussed. (Hafeel Farisz)

Comments - 17

RamUK Tuesday, 25 June 2013 02:11 PM

Lobby headed by Karuna and Mervin Silva..please add some DIGs as well in the group

12 45

lal Wednesday, 26 June 2013 10:51 AM

The genocidal, racist, terrorists are long gone. Few kallathonis still remain. The high risk category remains as not all Kallathonis have not departed in leaky boats. Sooner they depart the risk factor will change to zero. Adios!!!

4 5

RamUK Wednesday, 26 June 2013 10:34 AM

but the fact is SL is a poor third world under developed country run by a pack of genocidal thugs where rape, murder and kidnappings occur everyday....sure u will agree on this

2 5

Ranil Wednesday, 26 June 2013 09:30 AM

I think you got the wrong end of the stick. Not at all. Why should Sri Lankans want to go to UK when there are so many other countries who provide same facilities at top standard. You will know how people are struggling with the current economy. EU migrants are all over London sleeping rough and this is how the tamil migrants are getting on as well. It is not worth at all travelling to UK when they are having loads of trouble and this is how UK is trying to find the money. Use your brains and travel to US, Aus, NZ where you could have very good education, tourism and at very high standards.

5 2

Living overseas Wednesday, 26 June 2013 05:46 AM

SL is a poor third world under developed country run by a pack of genocidal thugs where rape, murder and kidnappings occur everyday. The war is not over yet, so the high risk category is justified.

1 8

kiwi Wednesday, 26 June 2013 04:41 AM

Soon Aussi, NZ and Canada might follow

1 7

gon rala Wednesday, 26 June 2013 04:36 AM

These white monkeys are true rasicsts, they will go all out ti victimise legitimate Singhalese from traveling to UK but will keep their doors wide open for tamils who cant even speak a word of english going to see their blood relatives with the ultimate objective of political asylum & economic asylum in UK as long as tigers proxies oil UK bankrupt economy & banks with their blood monies being laundered to keep UK afloat

8 5

Yuri Wednesday, 26 June 2013 03:55 AM

Sri Lankan are the hight risk , just open your eyes see how many running on boat and plane to run out of the island

2 7

Suq Madique Wednesday, 26 June 2013 03:44 AM

It says not all visitors will have to pay the bond......maybe the UK can apply this only for politicians and let the civilians go free?

2 6

Phantom Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:18 PM

Why shouldn't we? After embracing all the terrorist scum they are now closing the gate on us genuine visitors!

24 40

Manisha Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:59 PM

Shall we do our counterpart first by doing justice to murdered British national...

7 54

wasanthi Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:48 PM

impose Rs 3000 deposit money for Britsh tourists .

49 10

Mherv Szilva Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:40 PM

Sri Lanka is the risk freest country

31 12

renu Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:30 PM

This is a more than high Risk Country where even the DIGs are involved in abductions & killing people, hence UK is very correct about the rating . They have also considered the Tangalle Murder of the Britisher, nothing has been done yet

13 66

Abdul Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:21 PM

they have made us equal to pakistan bangladesh nigeria and ghana thanks to people smugglers and traitors of mother lanka. only genuine visitors will get effected by this. a bond of 3000 pounds is peanuts for someone wants to settle in uk illegally.

17 34

Fazel Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:20 PM

Very good move by the govt. Very rarely hear like this. Thanks

30 28

francis Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:20 PM

with everything that is happening no wonder we have been categorised as " high risk country " GL you are living in a dream world.

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